Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins are a delightful hybrid between croissants and muffins, offering the flaky, buttery layers of a croissant in the compact, hand-held form of a muffin. These irresistible treats are rolled in cinnamon sugar for a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, making them ideal for breakfast, brunch, or an indulgent snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Combines the best features of croissants and muffins.
- The cinnamon sugar coating adds a comforting sweetness.
- Easy to customize with additional fillings like jam or chocolate.
- A show-stopping dessert or breakfast option that’s surprisingly simple to make.
- Perfect for any occasion, from casual mornings to holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Puff pastry sheets
- Unsalted butter, melted
- Granulated sugar
- Ground cinnamon
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheets. Brush the surface with melted butter.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon sugar over the buttered pastry.
- Roll the pastry tightly into a log, then cut the log into even pieces.
- Place each piece into the muffin tin, spiral side up.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and puffed.
- While still warm, roll the cruffins in additional cinnamon sugar to coat.
- Let them cool slightly before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes 12 cruffins
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Variations
- Fillings: Add a dollop of jam, Nutella, or cream cheese before rolling the pastry.
- Toppings: Drizzle with icing or melted chocolate for extra indulgence.
- Savory Option: Skip the cinnamon sugar and use savory fillings like cheese, herbs, or pesto.
- Spice Swap: Try pumpkin spice or cardamom sugar for a unique flavor twist.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cruffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Warm cruffins in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds to refresh their crispness and flavor.
FAQs
1. What are cruffins?
Cruffins are a hybrid pastry combining the flaky layers of a croissant with the shape and convenience of a muffin.
2. Can I use homemade puff pastry?
Absolutely! Homemade puff pastry adds an extra layer of richness, though store-bought works just as well.
3. Do cruffins need to be refrigerated?
Not necessarily. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, but refrigeration extends their shelf life.
4. How do I prevent cruffins from sticking to the pan?
Grease the muffin tin thoroughly or use paper liners to avoid sticking.
5. Can I make cruffins ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the cruffins, refrigerate them overnight, and bake them fresh in the morning.
6. Can I freeze cruffins?
Yes, freeze baked cruffins in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the oven before serving.
7. What can I pair with cruffins?
Serve cruffins with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa for a delightful treat.
8. Can I use flavored sugar?
Yes, try vanilla sugar, orange zest sugar, or even lavender sugar for unique variations.
9. Are cruffins suitable for vegans?
Use vegan puff pastry and replace butter with a plant-based alternative to make them vegan-friendly.
10. Why are my cruffins not flaky?
Ensure your puff pastry stays cold before baking and avoid over-handling the dough to maintain its layers.
Conclusion
Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins are a deliciously flaky, sweet, and buttery treat that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re hosting brunch or craving a quick indulgence, these cruffins are the perfect choice. With endless customization options and easy storage, they’re a delightful addition to your baking repertoire. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy the perfect balance of cinnamon sweetness and croissant flakiness!
PrintCinnamon Sugar Cruffins
Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins are a delightful fusion of croissants and muffins, offering a flaky, buttery texture with a sweet cinnamon-sugar coating. Here’s how you can make them at home:
Ingredients
- 3 tubes (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- Prepare Dough:Â On a lightly floured surface, unroll each tube of crescent roll dough into a rectangle. If using perforated dough, pinch the seams together to seal.
- Add Butter and Cinnamon Sugar:Â Spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over each sheet of dough. In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle about ÂĽ cup of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over each buttered dough sheet, pressing gently to adhere.
- Roll and Cut Dough:Â Starting from the long edge, tightly roll up each dough sheet into a log. Cut each log in half to create two shorter logs, then cut each of those in half lengthwise to reveal the layers, resulting in four sections per sheet.
- Shape Cruffins:Â With the cut sides facing outward, roll each section into a spiral, similar to a cinnamon roll, and tuck the end underneath. Place each rolled piece into the prepared muffin tin.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:Â While the cruffins are still warm, roll them in the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly.
- Serve:Â Enjoy the cruffins warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- Prepare Dough:Â On a lightly floured surface, unroll each tube of crescent roll dough into a rectangle. If using perforated dough, pinch the seams together to seal.
- Add Butter and Cinnamon Sugar:Â Spread 2 tablespoons of softened butter evenly over each sheet of dough. In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle about ÂĽ cup of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over each buttered dough sheet, pressing gently to adhere.
- Roll and Cut Dough:Â Starting from the long edge, tightly roll up each dough sheet into a log. Cut each log in half to create two shorter logs, then cut each of those in half lengthwise to reveal the layers, resulting in four sections per sheet.
- Shape Cruffins:Â With the cut sides facing outward, roll each section into a spiral, similar to a cinnamon roll, and tuck the end underneath. Place each rolled piece into the prepared muffin tin.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar:Â While the cruffins are still warm, roll them in the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly.
- Serve:Â Enjoy the cruffins warm or at room temperature.